"It is only through support, dedication and the cooperation of our membership that Kingsville Volunteer fire company has been able to support the increase in our call volume and maintain our exceptional response rate," Michael Berna, fire captain 2011, wrote in the evening's program.

An example, he said, was during Hurricane Irene when 62 volunteers staffed the station and all the company's equipment. They slept on cots, furniture and any open floor space they could find despite not having electricity, water or heat at the station.

In his report, EMS 1st Lieutenant Timothy Berkeridge made sure to point out that the volunteers wouldn't be able to do what they do without the support of their families, whose husbands, wives, children, etc., are called out at all hours of the day and night to respond to an emergency.

Top honors for 2011 went to Firefighter of the Year Charles Tittle and EMS Responder of the Year Michael Podles.

Longtime volunteer Douglas Maynard, whose father was a founding member of the Kingsville company, was honored for his 50 years of service.